[jillsParticipant]

Hi All,
My Mum is starting a course of Pomalidomide. I wondered whether any of you who have had that drug could let me know whether you had any nausea or sickness as a side effect? Reason for asking is that I am not sure whether she should take the anti sickness tablets – she is 86 and I don’t want to overload her as they do tend to contribute to her constipation issues! I can’t see it listed as a major side effect.
Also she takes Penicillin twice a day anyway but the doctor seems to have added Septrin (Co trimoxazole) as well – is this normal please?
Any advice would be welcome,

Thanks
Jill

[andygParticipant]

Hiya Jill.

I’ve been on Pomalidomide for 17 cycles now and find the side effects very mild. I know everyone reacts differently but I’ve been through several different treatments and Pomalidomide is the easiest to live with I’ve had.

I wouldn’t take anti sickness tablets as a matter of course only take them if needed. Cotrimoxazole is is an antibiotic as well as penicillin so I’m assuming your mother must have an infection or two..

Every try day is a gift.

Andy xx

[jillsParticipant]

Hi Andy,
Thanks for the reply, I was thinking of you when I wrote the email. 17 cycles, wow, you are really getting your money’s worth out of the NHS! Are you on the 4mg dose?
Mum doesn’t have any infections, in fact she hasn’t had any and doesn’t seem prone to them at all so that is why I am wondering about the need for Cotrimoxazole as well as the Penicillin (which she has been taking twice a day for years as a prophylactic dose). I think I will hold off giving it to her and see how she goes, she can always then have it if needed. Overusing antibiotics doesn’t seem sensible to me especially with elderly people. Sounds like she probably won’t need the anti sickness tablets either, she certainly doesn’t seem to have been prone to any nausea even with Cyclophosphamide in the past.
Thanks again,
Take care,
Jill

[andygParticipant]

Hi Jill,

I’m on the 4mg dose of Pomalidomide and I start my 18th cycle tomorrow. They do seem to be loading your mum with antibiotics I myself take ciprofloxacin as a prophylactic as I have an indwelling catheter and its to guard against uti’s.

I’d give your mums specialist nurse a ring and ask why the antibiotics have been prescribed.

Every day is a gift.

Andy xx

[jillsParticipant]

Hi Andy,

Just a quick update, Mum has had the first Cycle of Pomalidomide, three days in seemed to develop a bit of a rash but it went after a day or so (hospital gave her some piriton), apart from that she seems OK, just waiting for the blood results to see if she is OK for Cycle 2. Like you I think she finds the worst bit is the dex – but she only has 20mg once a week now.

So fingers crossed it will be doing the trick on the MM.

Cheers,

Jillxx
PS By the way she isn’t taking the extra antibiotic…

[andygParticipant]

Hi Jill.

Glad to hear your mum seems to be tolerating Pomalidomide. I hope her blood tests come back showing it’s working. I found it had a quick effect on my PPs. Dex is the devil drug in the battle against myeloma.

Every day is a gift.

Andy xx

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